Wang Zhi has trapped Xu Hai on a small island near Ningbo.
Xu Hai was not trapped all at once. Although he lost a lot of men in the battle of the capital, Luo Wenlong brought back Yan Shifan's compensation, which allowed him to buy ships and guns from the Francois, which greatly increased his strength for a while.
After that, he and Wang Zhi fought continuously and never fell behind. Xu Hai even dreamed of regaining his position as the number one brother in the sea.
But this illusion was quickly shattered. Wang Zhi obtained Xiao Feng's cannon and shells, completed the weapon upgrade, and immediately resumed his crushing form against Xu Hai.
The most important thing is that Xu Hai had to buy cannons and cannonballs from the Francois with real money, while Wang Zhi's cannons and cannonballs were continuously shipped from the capital.
Even if the two sides are evenly matched at the beginning, Wang will be able to get new supplies from the coast after fighting for a while, not only weapons, but also food and vegetables.
But Xu Hai didn't even dare to approach the shore. As soon as they reached the shore, the troops of Hu Zongxian and Yu Dayou rushed over quickly like old cats smelling the smell of fish.
Often, Hu Zongxian's urban management troops would come over just as the price of supplies was negotiated, but before they could be shipped, and the profiteer who sold him the supplies would immediately run away, taking away both the money and the goods.
Xu Hai also wanted to load the goods first and then pay him, but the profiteers refused. They said that if they are willing to do business with you, they are already risking their heads. You still want to pay later? impossible!
The most unscrupulous thing is that the two profiteers were the fishing law enforcement arranged by Hu Zongxian! Not only did they steal Xu Hai’s money, but they almost also detained people!
After several loss-making transactions, Xu Hai looked up to the sky and sighed: It’s not easy to be a mobile vendor without a court license!
In this way, Wang Zhi became stronger as he fought, and Xu Hai became weaker and weaker as he fought. Finally, he was chased and intercepted step by step by Wang Zhi, and reached the island outside Ningbo.
This island, which Xu Hai has managed for many years, is easy to defend but difficult to attack, and has abundant material reserves. It is his last home base. Therefore, he stopped running and assumed a decisive battle with Wang Zhi.
Of course, Xu Hai did not sit still and wait for death. Mao Haifeng suggested that he seek help from the Francois and cooperate inside and outside to kill Wang Zhi.
Xu Hai was somewhat tempted, but his wife expressed opposition. Xu Hai's wife is Wang Cuiqiao. She was once a famous singer in Shanghai. She is not only beautiful but also kind-hearted.
Xu Hai was so poor that he had no pants to wear, so he learned from the entrepreneurial experience of Ming Dynasty founder Zhu Chongba and became a monk.
Xu Hai was a very ungrateful monk. After getting some money, he went to entertainment venues to hang out with young ladies.
Wang Cuiqiao was very popular at that time, and Xu Hai only had enough money for two choices: one was to listen to Wang Cuiqiao sing a song, and the other was to choose a pretty good girl to spend the night with.
But Xu Hai would rather listen to Wang Cuiqiao singing than spend the night with other women, just like Xiao Feng in later generations would rather go to a KtV to sing about the business bureau than go to a foot-washing room with small pink lanterns.
So Wang Cuiqiao had a deep impression of Xu Hai. Later, the flower monk stopped coming, which was quite strange.
In fact, Xu Hai couldn't even raise the money to listen to music at that time, so he gritted his teeth and went straight to pirates.
Xu Hai later started a successful business, and before Wang Zhi came back from studying in Japan to develop, he once reached the status of the first brother along the coast of Ming Dynasty.
Once a man succeeds, he will want to show off to the women he could not reach in the past, so Xu Hai planned a robbery and took Wang Cuiqiao to the sea to become his wife.
Although a bit hasty in the love stage and a bit rough in the marriage stage, Xu Hai is sincere to Wang Cuiqiao. I almost hold it in my hand for fear of breaking, hold it in my mouth for fear of melting, and I also listen to Wang Cuiqiao's words.
Originally, Xu Hai was more than just Wang Cuiqiao's wife. After Wang Cuiqiao came, he persuaded Xu Hai to let the other women go. Moreover, Wang Cuiqiao felt that robbing a man's wife and daughter was unethical, and advised Xu Hai not to indulge his subordinates in doing so.
Therefore, among the pirates along the coast, Xu Hai's fleet has a relatively good reputation in these aspects. Including colluding with Japanese pirates, when Xu Hai and Luo Wenlong discussed it, they always went behind Wang Cuiqiao's back.
Now Luo Wenlong proposed to collude with the Franji people to deal with Wang Zhi, at the cost of handing over the fleet to the Franji people in the future and jointly occupying and controlling the Ming Dynasty waters. Wang Cuiqiao clearly opposed it.
"Brother Hai, you and Wang Zhi are old acquaintances. We are both descendants of China. How you fight with each other is one thing.
But the Francois are like wild beasts at sea. When they met at sea before, they slaughtered ships and islands at every turn, just like Japanese pirates.
If we hand over our fleet to the Francois, even if we defeat Wang Zhi, can we really survive in the hands of those beasts? "
Xu Hai fell into deep thought. Luo Wenlong knew Wang Cuiqiao's influence on Xu Hai, so he had to try to persuade Wang Cuiqiao first.
"Foster mother, my son doesn't know what's wrong with this matter, but Wang Zhi is so aggressive that he will definitely eradicate us. We must survive first!
If there is a second way to go, I naturally don't want to succumb to others and listen to those red-haired ghosts yelling! "
Xu Hai's guard reported at the door: "Ship owner, a small boat came from the direction of Ningbo and was intercepted by the brothers. The people on the boat said that they were Hu Zongxian's secret envoys and came to discuss important matters with the ship owner!"
Xu Hai suddenly stood up and looked at Luo Wenlong and then at Wang Cuiqiao.
"Hu Zongxian? I have no contact with him. If he sends someone here now, what can happen?"
Luo Wenlong was also quite confused: "Is there some trick? Hu Zongxian and Wang Zhi are in the same group!"
Wang Cuiqiao said: "Brother Hai, no matter what, he only has one person here, what is there to be afraid of? Why don't you bring him in and ask."
Luo Wenlong nodded: "Come here, put down the knife formation and test this person's courage first!"
The person who came was fair and fat, tall and strong, with a few strands of beard that were neither thick nor light, just right, and looked very imposing.
Luo Wenlong has already asked people to set up a sword array, from the door to the inner hall. The visitor took a look, but there was no change of color on his face like Luo Wenlong thought, nor did he smile up to the sky and walk calmly like Xu Hai thought.
The person who came turned around and walked away. This unusual approach made the three people in the room stunned for a moment. Seeing that everyone was ten steps away, Luo Wenlong shouted.
"Stop! Since you are here, why did you leave without saying a word?"
The man turned around and sneered: "Since you brought me to speak, why would you engage in such a childish fight? It shows that you are not sincere.
I'm here to help you, not to harm you, why should I suffer this kind of idleness? "
Luo Wenlong said angrily: "Aren't you afraid that I will kill you?"
The man sighed in disappointment: "I heard someone say before that Captain Xu's adopted son is so great. How could he ask such nonsense?"
Luo Wenlong was furious and pulled out the steel knife; "Why are you talking nonsense? Don't I dare to kill you?"
The man nodded: "Of course you dare to kill me, but that doesn't stop you from asking nonsense. This is a pirate den, not a brothel. Since I dare to come, can I be afraid of you killing me?"
Luo Wenlong was stunned. He was about to speak again, but Xu Hai waved his hand to stop him.
"Stop the sword formation. Sir, please come over and talk."
After the sword array was withdrawn, the man walked over with square steps and raised his hand to Xu Hai. When he saw Wang Cuiqiao, he couldn't help but be stunned and also raised his hand.
Wang Cuiqiao screamed: "You...are you Mr. Xu Weixu? You wrote me poems when we were in the building."
Xu Wei said with a smile: "I thought I made a mistake. It turns out that the girl disappeared overnight and came to enjoy the good fortune with Captain Xu. At that time, we thought the girl had suffered a disaster."
Xu Hai was also stunned, and quickly left his seat to salute: "It turns out to be Mr. Xu Wenchang, I'm so rude! He is very famous in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, but he doesn't want to join Hu Zongxian's family. He is just a censor, so how can he be assisted by you?"
Xu Wei is very famous in Jiangsu and Zhejiang. Although he is not an official, he still has countless fans. Although Xu Hai is a pirate, he is also a cultural person, so he naturally does not dare to look down on Xu Wei.
Xu Wei smiled and said: "Hu Zongxian is no longer the censor on patrol now. Xiao Feng, the governor of Jiangnan, wrote to the court to promote Hu Zongxian to the rank of left minister of the Ministry of War.
When Governor Xiao is not in the south of the Yangtze River, he can act as the governor and hold the power to mobilize troops from the coastal provinces. In my opinion, becoming the Governor of Jiangsu and Zhejiang is just around the corner.
Hu Zongxian is a man of deep scheming, but he treats others with sincerity, he is generous but does not suffer from himself, and he is ambitious but does not act rashly. I should help such a person. "
Xu Hai was trapped on the island for many days, and he really didn't know about this. When Xu Wei said it, he sighed.
"Hu Zongxian is indeed a remarkable figure. Before he came, Yu Dayou led his troops to fight against the Japanese pirates, but it was still a cat and mouse.
As soon as Hu Zongxian arrived, they jointly set up a register to reorganize the guard station, carry forward the military training skills left by Xiao Feng, and cooperate with Wang Zhi on the method of sea and land supply operations, which was very organized.
I don’t know what kind of message you bring here for Hu Zongxian. You might as well say it clearly. Regardless of the outcome, I guarantee that Mr. Gift will leave the island. "
Xu Wei glanced around, but remained silent. Xu Hai knew what he meant, and immediately waved his hand and drove all his men out, leaving only Luo Wenlong and Wang Cuiqiao.
Xu Wei glanced at Luo Wenlong, and the meaning was self-evident. Xu Hai smiled and said: "Luo Wenlong is my adopted son, there is no problem."
Xu Wei nodded: "Since we are all members of Captain Xu's family, let me tell you directly. Mr. Hu asked me to persuade Captain Xu to surrender."
Xu Hai was already prepared in his heart, so he was not surprised. He just remained silent. Luo Wenlong was moved in his heart and looked at Xu Wei.
"Sir, I didn't know you were Mr. Wen Chang just now, so I was very offended. But my adoptive father's fleet came and went as freely as a prince, so why should I surrender to Hu Zongxian?"
Xu Wei smiled slightly: "Young Master Luo, this is just a lie to others, why do you dare to say it in front of Xu?
Today is different from the past. Three years ago, the overlord of this sea was no longer Captain Xu. Now Captain Xu has been defeated in many battles and is besieged by Wang Zhi. He is stubbornly resisting. How can he be as comfortable as a prince? "
Luo Wenlong shook his head and said: "Although we are trapped here, we have sufficient troops and food, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack. Wang Zhi cannot conquer this island.
Now that the Daimyo War in Japan is coming to an end, the new shogunate is coveting the coast of the Ming Dynasty. The Japanese pirates who came to the Ming Dynasty have gradually become organized from scattered soldiers.
The artillery of the Franconians is becoming increasingly innovative. Although the firepower of Wang Zhi's fleet has been strengthened by the imperial court, the hull itself is far less strong than that of the Franconian.
With these two major forces present, Wang Zhi won't be able to hold the siege for long. By then, there may be cooperation between the inside and the outside, and it's unknown whether the adoptive father's fleet will regain control of the sea. "
Xu Hai remained silent because he wanted Luo Wenlong to test Xu Wei's trump card. Luo Wenlong is the junior and the second-in-command. It doesn't matter what he says wrong. As long as he doesn't express his position, everything can continue to be discussed.
The same is true for the business bureaus of later generations. The top boss must not express his position easily. It is the second boss who leads the charge. The top boss is only responsible for observing the entire situation and making a sudden move when the two sides may break the situation.
How could Xu Wei not understand this? He was also using Luo Wenlong to test Xu Hai's trump card. It was never easy to persuade him to surrender, especially to make the other party feel at ease and on guard, so he couldn't rush.
"What Young Master Luo said makes sense, but I'm afraid Young Master Luo doesn't know that the imperial court has issued an order to rebuild the Ming Dynasty Navy!"
This bombshell shocked both Xu Hai and Luo Wenlong. Looking at each other, Xu Hai finally lost his temper.
"Is what you said true? Does the Ming Dynasty really want to rebuild the Navy?"
Xu Wei said calmly: "It is absolutely true, the imperial edict has just arrived in Master Hu's hands. At this time, Master Hu is surveying the coastal area to determine the place where the shipbuilding workshop will be built.
It is necessary to have a diversion into the sea, but also to be far away from the sea to guard against sneak attack and destruction by Japanese pirates and the like. I guess it should be near Hangzhou. "
Even Luo Wenlong was silent this time. Wang Cuiqiao suddenly said: "Mr. Xu, I wonder what the size of the Ming Navy is?"
Xu Wei smiled slightly: "The basic framework given by Mr. Xiao is called Qibao Battle Group. It has a three-layer Qibao ship as the core, accompanied by two double-layer escort ships, five single-layer gunboats, and a clipper with an attack angle. Twenty ships.”
Xu Hai exclaimed: "What is the significance of this combination?"
Xu Wei said solemnly: "This formation was learned by Mr. Xiao from the immortal world. The three-story seven-treasure ship has a huge hull, is covered with heavy armor, and has fierce gunfire, but it moves slowly.
The double-layered escort ship provides heavy firepower and can also be used as a shield. The single-layer gunboats are the main peripheral combat force, and the clippers are used for close combat to seize, scuttle, and burn ships.
The Qibao Ship carries a large amount of weapons, food and fresh water. After the battle, each ship can approach the Qibao Ship for supplies, and the wounded can also go to the Qibao Ship to recuperate.
Moreover, Qibao has repair craftsmen and materials on board, which can repair battle-damaged ships, ensuring that the entire battle group can continue to operate at sea for several months!
Moreover, whenever you approach a larger island, you can obtain supplies from the island, and when the battle group is deployed, you are not afraid of enemy sneak attacks. "
Xu Hai asked after a long time: "How many such Qibao battle groups does the Ming Navy plan to build?"
Xu Wei smiled: "Master Xiao said that money is scarce now, so just build two first and then build more later. Wang Zhi's fleet will also be included in it after it is upgraded."
Luo Wenlong suddenly said: "Such an idea is indeed amazing, but it will probably take more than three to five years to build it, right?"
Xu Wei said calmly: "The imperial court has the power to overthrow the enemy, and it is nothing more than money. As long as the money is sufficient, it will take at most one year to go to sea. By then, I am afraid that no one will be recruited to surrender."
Wang Cuiqiao said in a trembling voice: "Why don't you surrender?"
Xu Wei glanced at her: "Madam, don't you know that 'one general can make thousands of bones wither'? Throughout the ages, which famous minister and general's brocade robes were not dyed red with the blood of the enemy?
When the Qibao battle group goes to sea, I'm afraid that even if Banzai wants to surrender, Master Xiao may not listen, let alone the generals and sergeants below! "
Xu Hai and Luo Wenlong looked at each other, unable to hide the fear in their hearts. They are pirates, and they know better than others that Xu Wei's words are true.
In fact, naval battles are sometimes simpler than land battles. There are no dangerous mountains and rivers, no ambush areas, and there is no room for rapid attack. Most of the time, it relies on firepower.
Therefore, in land battles, the weak defeated the strong from time to time, but in naval battles, it was relatively rare, and only a few times in history.
When a general has a powerful fleet in his hands, what he wants to do most is to make achievements, because the risks are small and the benefits are big.
Not to mention that there are pirates nearby, even if there are not, you have to travel thousands of miles to find pirates and fight them. If you can't find them, you will treat other countries' warships as pirates and fight them.
Xu Hai knew that he had few chances to negotiate the price. He looked at Xu Wei, stood up and bowed sincerely.
"Sir, Xu Hai and his wife have been wandering at sea for half their lives, which is not what they wanted. In fact, Wang Zhi also sent people to order me to surrender several times.
It's just that the court has always regarded me as a bandit, and Wang Zhi and I have old grudges. If I surrender, I'm afraid my life will be at risk. "
Xu Wei smiled and said: "How does Wang Zhi compare to Captain Xu? Isn't he also a third-rank general of the Ming Dynasty? Serving Jinghai under the orders is much more glorious than being a pirate!"
Xu Hai sneered and said: "Wang Zhi is very lucky, he got to know Mr. Xiao and got the upper hand.
Although Mr. Xiao and I have never met, we have always had a feud. Surrendering now would be imitating others. I'm afraid Wang Zhi won't be able to tolerate me in the first place! "
Xu Wei looked at Xu Hai and suddenly laughed, making everyone confused.
"Master Hu is indeed very discerning and knows exactly what Captain Xu is worried about. In this case, I have come to the right place this time!"
Xu Hai was stunned for a moment, and then he realized something: "Could it be that Sir, this trip is not just to recruit those who surrender?"
Xu Wei smiled mysteriously: "When you surrender, you have to tell who you are recruiting for. Surrenders also have to tell who you are surrendering to. If you surrender well, you will be rich and glorious, but if you surrender poorly, you will die and be disgraced!"
