Previously on Iron Dynasty...
A coalition fleet of seventy British, French, and Spanish warships has arrived in Great Yu Empire waters, aiming to launch a surprise attack on the Dengzhou military port. Though the Western powers hope to cripple the empire’s rising naval influence and seize its technology, their approach was detected by a routine patrol. As the massive fleet nears the coast, the defending forces at Dengzhou have sounded the alarm, manning reinforced coastal fortresses and preparing their hybrid-powered warships for a desperate confrontation.
With a somber gaze, Wilson monitored the Dengzhou military port.
Flag signals were being exchanged between the three international fleets to coordinate their battle plans. Under Wilson’s direct command, the initial wave of twenty warships began their advance into the military port’s bay.
Observation revealed that the sprawling bay held only eight warships belonging to the Great Yu Empire; notably, the specific vessel they had encountered earlier at sea was missing from the harbor.
"Instruct our troops to identify landing zones on both flanks of the port. Their mission is to capture the shipyards and artillery batteries. The rest of the fleet will strike the Dengzhou pier to harass their merchant vessels and create a diversion."
Wilson delivered his orders with composure. To ensure the success of this operation, he had painstakingly studied every piece of intelligence and memorized the local geography.
"Only eight warships? Wilson, this feels like a setup," Dick remarked with visible concern. Intelligence reports suggested the Great Yu Empire navy possessed at least ninety-six warships, yet a mere eight stood before them now.
In Dick's view, the missing fleet was likely positioning itself to spring an encirclement.
Wilson arched an eyebrow. "There is no cause for alarm. I will verify the situation once more before we commit to the strike. Look, the informant I’ve been waiting for has arrived."
He gestured toward the nearby waters where an unmarked vessel was closing in. The ship soon pulled alongside the fleet, and a man garbed as a samurai climbed onto Wilson’s flagship.
"It has been quite a while, Makino Haruaki," Wilson said with a smile. He recognized the man from three years prior, when he and Carey had encountered this Japanese pirate leader in Nagasaki.
"General Wilson." Makino Haruaki appeared worn down, his samurai clothing tattered and stained. However, the predatory glint in his eyes remained as sharp as ever.
Had he not required Makino Haruaki’s local knowledge, Wilson would never have deigned to work with him. To Wilson, whether they were from the Great Yu Empire or Japan, they were all members of inferior races.
"Let’s be brief. I require immediate intelligence on the port. Where are their warships?" Wilson questioned bluntly.
Makino Haruaki had been a part of the planning phase from the start, though his role was strictly limited to reconnaissance.
"The bulk of their fleet has sailed south. If my calculations are correct, they have likely gone to engage the Spanish." Makino Haruaki spoke with an air of indifference, as if the outcome mattered little to him.
"The Spanish." Wilson glanced toward where the Spanish fleet was positioned. He pressed for confirmation, "Are you certain of this?"
"Whether the Spanish are their specific target is unclear, but their southward heading is certain," Makino Haruaki confirmed with a firm nod.
Dick let out a boisterous laugh upon hearing the news. "Providence is with us! We can wipe out their shipyard and leave the Great Yu Empire crippled for the foreseeable future!"
Wilson did not share his subordinate's enthusiasm. He felt a nagging sense of dread. The Great Yu Empire’s decision to move south was highly irregular. It appeared as though the Empire had abandoned its nest, just as they were doing with theirs.
They might succeed in razed Dengzhou, but the Empire could seize Malacca and dominate the Australian trade routes in return. Should that happen, the destruction of Dengzhou would not compensate for the strategic loss of Malacca.
Controlling Malacca meant the Great Yu Empire could sever the primary maritime artery between Europe and Asia.
"I can only hope Malacca isn't their objective," Wilson mused silently. He then signaled a soldier to compensate Makino Haruaki for the intelligence provided.
Accepting the British gold, Makino Haruaki glared at the Dengzhou port with pure venom. "I hope you burn the Great Yu Empire to the ground, so that Japan may finally break free from their shadow."
The Battle of Ryukyu had ended in his total humiliation at the hands of the Great Yu Empire, a memory that still burned. Although Yamada Nobunaga had capitulated to the Empire, many samurai within Japan refused to recognize the surrender, and Makino was their unofficial leader.
He was willing to risk everything for even a slight chance to sabotage the Great Yu Empire.
"Achieving such a feat is difficult; it is likely beyond the power of a single nation. I trust you will not lose heart, Mr. Makino," Wilson stated. "The British will remain your steadfast allies."
Visibly touched, Makino Haruaki bowed low to Wilson. "I place my hopes in your hands."
With a thin smile, Wilson prepared to initiate the assault. "Pardon me, but the hour of battle has arrived. I can no longer entertain you, Mr. Makino."
"Understood. I shall watch for your triumph from my own vessel," Makino Haruaki replied excitedly. He departed the flagship and returned to his boat to watch the unfolding conflict from the periphery.
With the assurance that the main Great Yu Empire fleet was far to the south, Wilson’s hesitation vanished. He commanded his warships to enter the bay and eradicate every enemy vessel in the port.
From within the military port, Xie Yuan watched the massive coalition fleet approach. This was the largest naval engagement he had witnessed in a decade.
"You bastards! Come get some! I’ll send every last one of you to the bottom of the ocean!" Xie Yuan spat as he watched the enemy ships loom closer. While organizing the coastal batteries, he had already ordered the port's marines into their combat positions.
Furthermore, he had dispatched hunter cavalry to the Dengzhou main camp to request immediate reinforcements. As a vital hub of the Great Yu Empire’s commerce, Dengzhou was heavily fortified.
A permanent garrison of 9,000 soldiers was stationed at the Dengzhou Grand Camp for just such an occasion.
As Xie Yuan cursed the invaders, twenty enemy ships breached the harbor. To his alarm, the remaining vessels did not follow but instead began flanking maneuvers toward the edges of the port.
Cold sweat broke out on Xie Yuan’s brow. He turned to Ding Chang, shouting, "Damn it! They’re trying to outflank us to take the artillery batteries! Get the marines to cover those positions immediately!"
"Understood!" Ding Chang shouted back, rushing to execute the order.
Peering through his telescope, Xie Yuan noted that the warships entering the bay had halted just outside his cannons' effective range. They were clearly waiting for the shore parties to neutralize the defenses before moving in for the kill.
He took a steadying breath and looked toward a low ridge to the north of the port. This ridge jutted into the sea, forming a natural screen. Hidden there was Li Wei, commanding twelve steam warships. "Li Wei, the fate of this port rests on your shoulders."
He gave the signal to ignite the beacon.
As pillars of black smoke rose into the sky, Li Wei spotted the signal instantly. He immediately ordered his flag signalman to broadcast the attack command to his squadron.
The vessels under his command were advanced hybrid warships, powered by the latest triple-expansion steam engines, granting them immense speed and force.
Li Wei was confident that these cutting-edge warships were vastly superior in a direct confrontation.
