Iron Dynasty Chapter 1060
Previously on Iron Dynasty...
Singapore.
On the King-Class ironclad warship, Yue Yun and Lei Ming sipped tea while soaking up the sunlight.
The initial strategy called for striking Jakarta, yet upon spotting the deep trenches there, they held off and relayed the intel straight to the Imperial Study.
In response, they got instructions to pause the offensive on Jakarta for now and dispatch troops to Qingzhou for drills with a fresh weapon type known as mortars, tailored precisely for blasting foes concealed in trenches.
Meanwhile, Yue Yun's fleet was directed to anchor in Singapore and link up with Lei Ming. The moment those new weapons showed up, they were to launch the assault on Jakarta without delay.
“Sigh, no clue when the attack command will drop. Sipping tea and sunbathing daily isn't real living,” Yue Yun sighed. Ever since this ironclad fleet formed, it hadn't seen a proper naval clash, leaving him like a warrior gripping a prized blade forever sheathed.
Unlike Yue Yun's battle hunger, Lei Ming savored this uncommon leisure. “You sailors can't grasp land warfare's grind. On this Southeast Asia push, my troops barely fell to enemy fire—far more dropped from poisonous bugs and toxic mists. So for land forces, this break is pure bliss.”
Yue Yun eyed the army lads splashing in the waves and grilling on the shore right then. Since his first glimpse, their spirits had bounced back strong.
“Fair point, but navy life's no picnic either. Stuck year-round in this steel tub is brutal,” Yue Yun chuckled.
Lei Ming eyed the massive cannons atop the King-Class ironclad warship enviously. Their bore size dwarfed the field guns his men hauled, the sheer scale hinting at their devastating might.“Quit griping over prime gear. Old sailing ships were way rougher. Spotting your fleet first time, I nearly signed up for navy duty,” Lei Ming replied with a helpless shrug.
As the pair bantered, a soldier climbed aboard the ironclad and delivered two telegrams—one each to Yue Yun and Lei Ming.
Scanning his message, Yue Yun noted, “Turbulence brews within the Empire. Word is, certain folks aim to curb the Emperor’s authority.”
Lei Ming, done with his telegram, gave a nod. “These turncoats are getting too bold. I'd eradicate their whole families and end the hassle.”
His dispatch came from Southeast Military Region HQ. Even campaigning overseas, Empire updates flew in via telegraph.
Telegrams from kin and comrades revealed even juicier gossip swirling around.
“Can't put it that way. Think the Emperor shrinks from killing? He's holding back now, surely scheming big. Our Emperor clawed up through corpse piles and blood oceans. These fools overestimate challenging him,” Yue Yun declared.
Lei Ming agreed with a nod. “Whatever happens, I'll wire the military region to back the Emperor fully. No hesitation on imperial commands. Shoot the same to Dengzhou. Out here fighting, we gotta declare loyalty loud.”
“Smart move. That'll squash some scheming rats,” Yue Yun approved.
After a beat, he added, “No sweat for us though. Emperor acts sure-footed here, or he'd have flagged it in the orders—instead, just pushing us to grab Jakarta.”
Lei Ming's latest directive was from Xiao Ming too. “Mortars hit in two weeks. Then Jakarta meets its end.”
He rose then, telling his adjutant nearby, “Rally the troops. We advance on Jakarta in ten days.”
The adjutant saluted and dashed off the ship.
“Time for me to prep too,” Yue Yun stated. “Scouts report the Western joint fleet eyeing a pincer from Jakarta and Malacca. Jakarta's boosted by thirty heavy warships, topping fifty total. Extra vessels linger in Calcutta, gearing for a Malacca thrust.”
A solemn expression crossed Lei Ming’s face. For him, this clash represented the most monumental battle against the West up to now, with its result set to dictate the ultimate conqueror of Asia's supremacy.
…
London.
Victoria shared the anxiety over Asia's conflict. On this occasion, the envoys dispatched by Britain and France had slunk back defeated, gaining nothing.
Given these circumstances, they resolved to wage an intense war against the Chinese Empire in India, compelling it back to negotiations, rather than crudely grabbing every Asian interest.
India held utmost strategic value for Britain, after all. They'd sooner abandon all of South America than surrender India, as this vast land of over a hundred million souls provided an enormous marketplace and endless raw resources.
Losing India would devastate Britain’s trade and manufacturing sectors.
“Besides fretting over India, we must also fear the Chinese Empire's further westward push. Latest reports reveal their arsenal now boasts even deadlier arms: breech-loading rifles firing metal cartridges, breech-loading cannons, and a rapid-fire device known as a machine gun. Their navy fields scores of formidable ironclads too. Victory seems bleak for us in this conflict.”
Within Tulip Palace, Murphy briefed Victoria on the battlefield updates, his tone laced with gloom.
“Can we trust this intel?” Victoria's brow creased.
“Cao Kun’s agents supplied this information, corroborated by troops who escaped Australia. Facing this, a total overhaul of our defenses is essential, lest we forfeit far beyond India.” Murphy continued, “I propose boosting defense budgets, assembling top engineering experts, and pursuing arms akin to the Chinese Empire's innovations. With our steam engines now highly advanced at home, maybe it's time to harness them productively?”
Deep creases formed on Victoria’s forehead. “Effective immediately, slash all royal expenditures and channel every penny saved into arms R&D. Meanwhile, dispatch diplomats across Europe to rally backing.”
She paused briefly before adding, “Dispatch yet another to the Ottoman Empire too. Under no circumstances can we let the Chinese Empire ally with the Ottomans. Employ whatever tactics required to fracture their bond.”