Xiang Ying's eyes were bright, staring at the sea chart as if he had seen thousands of miles of waves with his own eyes.
"Mother, you have to know that the ocean is much bigger than our land, and our understanding of the ocean is actually only a pitiful one percent!"
"Why can the UK only control the world's golden waterways now? It's not just because there are not enough warships, nor is it because cargo ships are unwilling to take risks, but because they are unfamiliar with it!"
"The ocean is so big that even the British who are most familiar with the ocean don't know the conditions beyond the Golden Channel!"
"The Eight Immortals Shoal is not in the golden waterway, and the British navy did not pass through it during its two invasions, so they did not conduct a large-scale hydrological survey. In fact, even people from the Qing Dynasty are not familiar with this place!..."
Xiang Ying is right. Most people don't know about the Eight Immortals Ansha. In fact, it is part of the famous Great Mother Ansha in later generations.
It is roughly divided into three areas. The Eight Immortals Shoal and the Lidi Shoal are underwater reefs that you cannot see on the surface. Only fishermen who are familiar with this place can roughly judge the area.
Then there is an area called Zengmu Reef Hill. When the tide ebbs in this area, part of the reef will be exposed, and it is an area that can be seen with the naked eye.
Because of its visibility to the naked eye, the Republic of China later named this area Zengmu Shoal on the map, and it has been used ever since.
However, since there is no land here, and the so-called reefs above the water are only a few scattered pieces, there is no way to replenish fresh water, and fishing boats cannot rest to avoid typhoons, so this place has always been a place forgotten by mankind.
Except for some fishermen who discovered that there are some high-quality seafood that can be caught in this reef group, other humans have no interest at all.
But others are not interested, but Xiao Letian is. He knows very well that in the 19th century, human beings' use of the ocean had very simple functions.
Fishing, gathering, golden waterways and excellent ports.
These few options are what can attract the attention of greedy humans. Other than that, the ocean is a useless place for humans.
But Xiao Letian knows very well that large oil and gas field reserves will be explored in this sea area in the future. Although it is not easy to exploit, it must be controlled in advance.
Therefore, when the Chinese conquered Borneo, the exploration of this sea area was within the Chinese's agenda.
More importantly, Xiao Letian attaches great importance to the production of global nautical charts. On this point, he is willing to spend money. The exploration of unknown areas is a step that the Chinese will never stop.
Xiang Ying is Xiao Letian's close disciple. He certainly inherited such advantages. Therefore, the Chinese are currently at the forefront of the world in the production of nautical charts throughout Southeast Asia.
This is where Xiang Ying's confidence lies.
"Please rest assured, Master, the British have never investigated this sea area at all. This is the most unfamiliar area to them. As long as we are willing to spend money, we can still lure you to the bait!"
"What if the British find a local guide? How can you ensure that the secret is not leaked?" Huniu is no longer the little girl she was back then. She has matured a lot after so many years of experience in the Chinese high-level, and her thinking is more comprehensive.
"It won't be leaked, don't worry, Master..." Lin Zhen took over and said, "Since our Chinese took control of Borneo, this sea area has been designated as a military exercise area. Except for fishermen with our special license, other people It’s impossible to enter!”
"The British cannot find licensed fishermen like us Chinese. They can only find local indigenous fishermen in Borneo!"
"But the indigenous fishermen of Borneo rarely come here to fish. Their primitive fisheries are concentrated in the offshore. Even if there are a few fishermen who come here, they will not be able to distinguish between the three areas!"
"The secret of Zengmu Shoal may be exposed, because there are indeed several reefs exposed after the sea water ebbs. However, our ambush location is at Baxian Shoal, which is hidden underwater all year round. It is very suitable to use this as an ambush location!"
Xiang Ying nodded, "Yes, there is another key point. The easily exposed target of Zengmu Shoal is in the north, while the Eight Immortals Shoal is in the south. If a naval battle occurs, our fleet will control the northern sea area to fight the British army. .”
"When the time comes when we fight and retreat, retreating from south to north, even if the British have guides who are familiar with the sea conditions, they will think that we are seeking death and head for dangerous places first!"
"As long as we control the time well and lure the British fleet to the Eight Immortals Sands before the ebb, then the British will definitely strand some warships after the ebb. This is our opportunity!"
"It's too dangerous, aren't you afraid that you will be stranded too?" Huniu said tremblingly.
"Of course there will be losses, but they won't be too big. After all, we know all the hydrological conditions here. When the time comes, I will put the main battleships in a safe channel. As for some other battleships..."
"Xiang Ying said with a wry smile, how can there be no losses in the war? As long as our battleship Eight King Kong can be saved, the remaining cruisers and frigates will have to grit their teeth and hold on even if they suffer losses."
"If it's stranded, we can use it as a fixed fort to fight the enemy. If it's sunk, we can report to the Temple of War in advance. If it survives, we can wait until the tide rises before we rescue it!"
"By guarding our Eight Great Vajras, the Chinese Navy will have the capital to turn around!"
"Mother, you have read the latest information. The total tonnage of the British fleet this time has exceeded 200,000 tons, and our total assets are only 130,000 tons. It is impossible not to take risks. We cannot defeat them without taking risks!"
Huniu shook her head gently, "It's not enough, it's still not enough. The confidence you gave me is still not enough. War is no joke. How can you predict the British decision?"
"Why do you think the British will fall into this trap? I can't believe it."
"Master's wife is right to be cautious, but please believe that the bait I put out this time will definitely attract the British!"
"The Brunei oil base itself is a piece of fat. It is impossible for the British to abandon such a ready-made oil industrial zone. Moreover, I have placed 20 tons of gold and 500 tons of silver..."
"This is another piece of fat. How could the British not eat two pieces of fat?"
"In addition, the Chinese navy is out in full force, and all the eight kings of the main force are concentrated there. The British also hope to decide the outcome in a naval battle, so the three pieces of fat are piled together, and the British will definitely bite the bait! "
"Not only that, the disciple also ambush here!"
Xiang Ying stretched out his palm as if to include all of Borneo on the map, "Borneo is like a prickly durian. British people have to be careful about pricking their mouths if they want to eat it!"
"Do you really think that our Chinese navy is just a decoration?"
