Iron Dynasty Chapter 956

The original hue of the sky was swallowed by thick plumes of smoke and rising fire over the vast ocean as dozens of vessels engaged in a brutal struggle.

Having decimated twenty enemy ships that were positioning for a landing, Li Wei commanded his remaining ten warships to charge directly into the heart of Wilson’s fleet.

Following their recent victory, the morale of the Great Yu Empire’s soldiers had surged to its zenith. Every man possessed a look of grim determination, seemingly indifferent to the threat of death.

In stark contrast, Wilson’s spirit was sinking. He had been forced to watch as twenty of his warships were sent to the seabed by the Great Yu Empire right before his eyes.

Throughout his entire career leading naval maneuvers, he had never suffered a defeat of such staggering proportions.

“Full speed! They must be annihilated!”

Wilson issued orders for his remaining fifty-six vessels to regroup. He intended to use his overwhelming numerical edge to sink every single one of those ten opposing warships.

Meanwhile, Dick kept his gaze locked onto the Great Yu Empire’s fleet. He remarked to Wilson, “Capturing even one of those ships to bring back to Britain would make the sacrifice of our entire fleet worth it.”

“Dick, this is my command! I have no interest in the schemes of your politicians! My only objective is to crush my enemy!” Wilson snapped back in a rage.

After speaking, he grabbed his telescope and moved to the ship’s bow, meticulously observing every maneuver made by the Great Yu Empire vessels.

Under his direction, the fifty-six warships fanned out into a pocket-like shape, attempting to trap Li Wei’s ten ships in an encirclement.

Li Wei quickly deduced Wilson’s plan. Before the trap could be sprung, he made a decisive move to the east, slipping through the gap in the incomplete formation.

He then steered his fleet northward, circling behind the northern blockade line to unleash a fierce bombardment on the twenty warships that had just exited the military port.

“Boom, boom, boom…”

A thick rain of shells immediately descended upon the enemy ships. Towering flames erupted from several vessels amidst the chain of explosions. A direct hit struck the ammunition depot of one ship, causing it to be blown skyward in a violent blast.

However, the survivors had grown more cautious after seeing the first group of ships destroyed. When facing the Great Yu Empire’s fleet this time, they broke formation and adopted a chaotic, individualized fighting style.

Simultaneously, a barrage of shells was launched toward the Great Yu Empire’s warships.

But the Great Yu Empire’s vessels were operating at maximum power and moved with incredible speed across the water. Despite the enemy’s aim, the shells could only splash harmlessly into the sea behind the fast-moving targets.

“Curse it!” Wilson roared. Their offensive had been thwarted yet again. After losing two more ships, the Great Yu Empire’s fleet had grown even more wary, continuously utilizing their superior power to shell the British vessels from a distance.

Dick’s expression shifted. He no longer harbored hopes of capturing a Great Yu Empire ship; he simply prayed for a victory of any kind.

His hopes, however, were doomed to fail. Ahead of them, their combined fleet was being transformed into a series of floating bonfires. The Great Yu Empire warships emerged through the smoke and flames like demons appearing before them.

By now, their military strength had been cut in half. At that moment, eight Great Yu Empire sailing warships that had been stationed in the port surged out to join the fray. They merged with the smoke-belching steamships to form a massive, unified fleet.

The lead vessel was a first-rate sailing warship, a monster whose broadside of one hundred and thirty cannons was enough to strike terror into any heart. It was followed closely by second-rate warships as the Great Yu Empire prepared for the final, decisive clash.

“Wilson, we have to pull back. This battle is no longer winnable,” Dick cried out.

Having watched forty ships be effortlessly picked off by the Great Yu Empire, Dick had lost all faith in their success.

Cold sweat beaded on Wilson’s brow. He never envisioned a day where the British Navy, which had once dominated the world’s oceans without rival, would be humbled by a navy that had only just been formed.

Yet, despite his pride, he saw no way to turn the tide in his favor.

Watching the Great Yu Empire’s fleet close the distance rapidly, Wilson replied in despair, “It is too late! Do you honestly believe we can outrun those ships?”

Dick fell silent, realizing they had been defeated from the moment the first shot was fired.

“Signal all ships to engage at will! Staying in formation against such vessels is a death sentence!” Wilson’s eyes hardened. It was the tradition of the British Navy to fight to the last breath. As the commanding general, he refused to bring shame upon their legacy.

In his desperation, Wilson resolved to fight the Great Yu Empire to the bitter end. Though victory was impossible, he hoped to salvage his dignity by taking down as many enemy ships as he could.

“Boom, boom, boom…”

The thunder of cannons once again rolled across the sea. The British warships abandoned all discipline, scattering across the water to fight as individual units.

This development caused Li Wei to scowl.

A British fleet in formation was an easy target, but a dispersed fleet was like beans scattered on the ground—a chaotic mess. Given the enemy's numbers, it was difficult to attack one without being vulnerable to another.

“Circular formation,” Li Wei commanded.

To handle such a mess, an all-around firing arc was necessary to maximize the destruction of the enemy. The steamships were incredibly maneuverable, making such transitions simple. If the situation soured, they could easily break away and engage freely.

“Boom, boom, boom…”

Once the formation was set, the Great Yu Empire’s fleet opened fire with renewed ferocity. The intense barrage crippled several enemy ships, with the first and second-rate sailing warships providing particularly devastating firepower.

However, Wilson was now fighting with a death wish. His ships pushed closer to the Great Yu Empire’s line, regardless of the casualties they sustained.

Once they were within range, the thirty remaining British ships unleashed a volley at Li Wei’s fleet.

“Thump, thump, thump…”

A heavy rain of shells battered the Great Yu Empire’s ships. Two sailing warships were instantly set ablaze, and three steamships sustained visible damage.

Seeing the damage, Li Wei bellowed, “Fire back! Return fire immediately!”

Just as he shouted, his first mate rushed up from the lower decks, looking panicked. “Captain, we have a problem! Our ammunition is nearly exhausted!”

“I was wondering why the last volley felt so weak! Damn it! Why didn’t you ration the shells?!” Li Wei cursed in a fury.

The first mate responded defensively, “You were the one who told us to hit them hard and fast, and not to worry about the cost! In these two engagements alone, our ship has already fired seventeen hundred shells!”

Li Wei stomped his foot in frustration. “Victory is right there! If we pull back now, those eight sailing warships won’t be able to hold the line alone!”

In the midst of his anxiety, a sudden cheer erupted from the signalman atop the mast. Soon, the entire crew was shouting in jubilation.

Li Wei turned his gaze toward the source of their excitement and was instantly filled with joy.

Emerging from the mouth of the military port, a warship encased entirely in iron armor was slowly steaming toward the heart of the battlefield.