After Ding Ruchang hosted a celebratory banquet for the main officers of the Beiyang Fleet, including those from the Naval Academy, at the largest restaurant in Weihaiwei City.
Lin Daxin personally escorted Ding Ruchang to the small steamboat bound for Liugong Island. Before boarding, a slightly drunk Ding Ruchang said to Lin Daxin, "Pingshi, news has come from the imperial court that both the court and Japan have officially declared war on each other! The day when my Beiyang Fleet will have a decisive battle with the Japanese Navy is not far off! To be honest, if it weren't for the warships you bought, I wouldn't have any confidence at all! Now that I have your naval academy training fleet, I have the confidence to fight a decisive battle with the Japanese Navy!"
Lin Daxin reassured him
