The Calais became the scapegoat for the anger of the countrymen. The French cargo ship, because it could not afford the increased toll, rammed into it in an emotional state.
The huge impact shook the hull. Fortunately, this was in the narrow Port Said. Both sides were not fast, otherwise something big would have happened. Once the hull was damaged, it would be impossible to move on.
Listening to the angry curses on the opposite ship, the sailors of the Calais roared in a local accent, "Are you all crazy? Are you going to hit your own people without eyes? Damn you bastards, you have no brains, we are not stupid... "
The two ships intersected, and both sides were almost face to face. As soon as they heard the familiar accent, the French merchant ship suddenly stopped and said, "Ah? God! You... you are also a French ship..."
"Isn't this nonsense? You know the great changes in the political arena of your motherland, but you still don't think of a way to get through it. You have to hit the British guns. You are stupid, but we are not stupid..."
"Those who are engaged in ocean trade don't create more identities. How do you still want to hang out on the sea? It's a good thing that you were born in the 19th century. If it were the 16th or 17th century, you trashes would be privateers on the high seas. Side dishes!”
The scolding made these French compatriots blush and thicken their necks. They originally wanted to vent their anger to the British, but in the end they accidentally injured one of their own and were severely scolded.
But I couldn't talk back because the other party was absolutely right. Ocean trade is so dangerous and complicated!
A merchant ship leaves its home port and enters the dangerous high seas. Not only do they have to face bad weather and huge waves coming at any time, but they also have to deal with countless pirates!
That era was an era of armed merchant ships. All cargo ships had to have cannons before they dared to carry out ocean-going trade!
But guarding against pirates is not enough. What is even more dangerous is privateers, that is, state pirates!
At that time, Britain was one of the sponsors of national piracy. Many pirates held privateering licenses from the Queen. They drove warships with cash to rob enemy ships on the high seas. Even warships dared to pounce on them and take a bite!
For safety reasons, cargo ship owners of that era would prepare several sets of ship identities and change flags in advance if they encountered danger.
This has become an unspoken rule in ocean trade. Even in the 21st century, many internationally famous shipping kings also like to register their ships in many small countries in South America.
Of course there are deeper reasons for this, such as smuggling, arms trafficking, underground high-tech products... Many black and gray businesses are completed on the high seas.
The ocean is always a place that can tolerate evil. There is no law on the high seas!
The Calais carefully inspected the hull and found that there was no major obstruction and it did not affect normal navigation. On the one hand, they did not want to embarrass their fellow countrymen, and on the other hand, they did not dare to make things worse.
Once the conflict is publicized, the canal garrison and officials will need to judge it. Once outsiders are allowed to board the ship, especially the British, and such a large ship of treasure is discovered, will they be blackmailed?
Definitely, the British Museum is a glutton for food. Once they find so many cultural relics, they will definitely grab them!
The two ships shook hands and made peace secretly. The Calais used its disguised identity to successfully enter the canal!
However, only half a day after entering the canal, the sailors discovered a problem. It turned out that there was very little water seepage at the location of the impact, and there was a slight gap between the spliced decks.
This gap can be easily plugged, and there are suitable tools on board. But the most terrifying thing is that this leakage has affected three wooden boxes of cultural relics, and the bottom has been filled with seawater.
The captain was now panicked. He quickly packed up the warehouse and asked the sailors to urgently repair the deck. The three damaged wooden boxes were opened, and the porcelain, bronzes, and jades inside began to be repacked by category.
Just when people fortunately did not notice the loss, something terrible happened. A box was filled with pictures and books, and the Forty Scenes of the Old Summer Palace was at the bottom. At this moment, the corners were soaked by the sea water.
Even though these crew members did not understand the protection of cultural relics, they also knew that ancient paintings should not be touched by water, so they hurriedly sent them to the deck to dry.
I thought this was the Middle East, the Suez Canal in Egypt, and showing off Chinese paintings would not attract anyone’s attention. Who would care about such a thing?
However, destiny had its own arrangements. The pair of ghost eyes on the left side of the capital's ghost eyes scanned for just 0.01 seconds and recognized the national treasure. At this point, the identity of the Calais was completely exposed.
The Hangzhou didn't leave either. Everyone pretended to be calm and hoisted the malfunction flag, turned back to the anchorage and pretended to make repairs. They blocked their mouths on the left to not make any sound, and just looked greedily at the Calais leaving in the distance.
All the Bedouin tribes under La Deng's command were already in action, and all the secret sentries began to gather in the Gulf of Suez outside Suez. Even cavalry on guard appeared on both sides of the Red Sea.
In the vast sea of sand, the Bedouin tribe ambushed 15,000 sturdy cavalry. They hid in the desert and waited for their master's orders.
They will never take action in the canal area. This is the territory of Britain and France. Once they take action, the local garrison will definitely appear.
The ambush ring is placed at the exit of the Gulf of Suez, Shakir Island!
The Calais was completely unaware that it had entered a circle surrounded by Bedouins. They did not know that on the sand dunes on both sides of the blue water, how many indigenous people wearing khaki camouflage robes were staring at them.
The position of the ship was sent to the next stop by fast horses at any time, and these herdsmen could communicate using light signals even late at night.
There are many fishermen along the Gulf of Suez, and small boats sell dates, fruits, fresh fish and other specialties to the passing cargo ships... and the Calais is the one that receives the most attention.
In the busy and narrow Gulf of Suez, the ship's speed could not be increased at all. It took 48 hours for the Calais to finally see the surface of the Red Sea.
Just as they took a breath, several small boats rowed across Shakir Island, and dancers with veils covering their faces on the boats gathered around them, selling hookah and their belly dance to them.
There were even dancers secretly selling illegal liquor to them!
The Calais really relaxed its vigilance. Maybe they were too nervous during the few days of crossing the Suez Canal. They were afraid of exposing their secrets in front of the British all day long. Now that they could see the surface of the Red Sea, these people suddenly became confused. Got it!
Regardless of the captain's objections, the remaining crew members asked the dancers to board the ship with high votes. These people were really frustrated after the long voyage!
One after another, dancers with veils covering their faces but exposing their white bellies boarded the ship, and boxes after boxes of spirits smuggled from Europe were hoisted onto the deck by ropes.
When the music started, the dancers began to twist their waists, and the smell of hormones filled the hot air!
In a short time, more than ten bottles of spirits were consumed. When the dancer opened the wooden box again to get the wine, countless figures suddenly appeared on Shakir Island, approaching at night.
