"Report~! Enemy fleet was found in the northern waters, numbering no less than fifty!"
"Pass my command to the general and raise the sails immediately! Face the incoming enemy!"
Zheng Zhibao's fleet is only responsible for naval battles and coastal fire cover. He does not care about land battles. He will not get involved in the profits on land. But at sea, anything on the sea, even a fishing boat, must be owned by him. .
The Crown Prince has already ordered that, except for important strategic materials such as rice, all trophies captured by the Zheng fleet at sea can be used at their own disposal without reporting to the court, and the Crown Prince encouraged Zheng Zhibao to sweep across the Liaodong coast.
Especially for Donglu's navy, it is best to kill them all so that the opponent cannot even enter the sea. After receiving the imperial edict, Zheng Zhibao could legitimately confiscate even humble fishing boats.
Hearing that the Japanese army had won the first battle on the shore, Zheng Zhibao originally thought that the enemy was exaggerating. That is, they killed more than a hundred Tatars, so he boasted that it was a great victory, which was a bit too much.
But after seeing hundreds of corpses, especially after most of them were armored soldiers, Zheng Zhibao also admired the Japanese army. Everyone said that the Qing army was invincible, but the Japanese army wiped out three thousand dog Tatars in one battle, which was really unstoppable.
Now that Abe had made gains again, Zheng Zhibao was not willing to lag behind. It was not difficult to go north to escort the Japanese troops to the coast of Fuzhou. He only needed to send some warships to escort the merchant ships.
The main fleet still stayed in Lushun, and Zheng Zhibao was preparing to go north from the east side of the Liaodong Peninsula and sweep all the way along the coastal areas, so that his men who were waiting for food could be given a beating.
Unexpectedly, when I was hungry, someone brought me wine and meat, so my fleet could feast on it.
In the Liaodong waters, and indeed the entire eastern waters, the Zheng family is the well-deserved maritime overlord.
It used to be in the south, but now in the north, Zheng can still collect some tolls!
On the sea, just like on land, whoever has the biggest fist and the strongest power has the final say.
Zheng Zhibao's fleet has more than twenty large warships, each of which is equipped with more than one Hongyi cannon, and the cannon is a necessary weapon for every ship.
He did not believe that the Qing navy could be equipped with weapons of this level. Even if it did exist, the number would definitely not be comparable to that of his own fleet.
It is said that Kong Youde's dog Tatar who defected to Huang Taiji took away a large number of warships of the Denglai Navy. The Hongyi cannons equipped on them were eventually removed and used to help the Qing army in land battles.
In this way, in terms of firepower, our own fleet will undoubtedly have an absolute advantage. Moreover, the Zheng's warships are larger in tonnage, have better anti-sinking performance, stronger firepower, and faster speed. The Qing army's warships are no match at all.
Looking back, when it comes to actual combat, Zheng Zhibao is still very serious and cannot be careless. Once he makes a mistake, he will not be able to explain it to his brother Zheng Zhilong when he returns.
Zheng Zhibao also wanted to annihilate the Qing navy as soon as possible, so that the fleet could go south to help his brother defeat the Hongyi fleet that invaded Dongfan. That was the real enemy that threatened the interests of the Zheng family.
Due to the limited berths in the port, except for a small part of the fleet, most of the warships are anchored outside the port and can set sail at any time.
Zheng Zhibao briefly talked to Abe again, which was considered a temporary farewell, because if the Qing warships discovered their own side, they would definitely flee north, and if their own side pursued them, the voyage would take several days.
Abe Shigeharu also expressed his understanding of this. If the Qing navy was not eliminated, it would threaten the safety of the Japanese landing troops at any time. If they were eliminated the day earlier, the land battle could be carried out without worries.
According to the intelligence provided by the Crown Prince, there are three sources of warships for the Qing Navy. One of them is the warship of the Denglai Navy that Kong Youde abducted when he launched a rebellion in Shandong.
The second is the warship that Shen Zhixiang brought when he led his troops to surrender to the Qing army on Shicheng Island, and the last is the warship that Huang Taiji captured when he attacked Kimchi.
Adding up the three items, the Qing navy has a total of about two to three hundred warships. However, compared to the Zheng family, its largest tonnage warship is just the Guangzhou ship, which is equivalent to an ordinary medium-sized warship in the Zheng family fleet.
It is said that with the addition of self-built boats, the Qing army claimed to have thousands of warships. Zheng Zhibao couldn't help but find it funny. If he showed off like this, he could claim to have tens of thousands of warships...
Huangtaiji divided the Qing navy into two. The left wing navy was stationed on the east coast, with Huanggu Island Fort as its base, and was responsible for contacting the Kimchi side.
The right-wing navy is based on Gaizhou Guard and Lianyun Island on the opposite coast, and is responsible for raiding the coastal areas in western Liaoning.
Zheng Zhibao believed that the Qing navy's left wing must be coming this time, but even if the left and right wings combined were no match for his own fleet.
When fighting a naval battle, look at the tonnage of the warship first, and then the quantity.
The numerical advantage alone cannot play a decisive role.
This was already proven when Zheng's small boats besieged Hong Yi's giant ship.
Twenty small boats besieged the opponent, but they were unable to sink Hongyi's giant ship, and the opponent was able to calmly break out of the encirclement.
Perhaps small boats would be of some use in near-shore battles.
But when fighting in the open sea, the larger the tonnage of the warship, the more obvious the advantage becomes.
"Report~! The Ming Ming battleship has been spotted ahead!"
"Pass my general's order..."
As the left-wing navy of the Qing Dynasty, Melezhangjing Mafuta actually did not understand naval warfare at all. He was only responsible for supervising two surrendered subordinates under the emperor's order.
Cao Shaozhong and Bai Dengyong of Jiala Zhangjing were both former Ming generals who defected to the Qing Dynasty. The former followed the respectful king Kong Youde, and the latter followed the Xushun Duke Shen Zhixiang.
The reason why the Qing Dynasty reused these two people is very simple. There is no one among the Eight Banners generals who understands naval warfare. The entire naval generals cannot be laymen, otherwise there will be no need to play.
This time the left wing navy went south to protect the kimchi merchant ship transporting rice, and to transport 5,000 bags of rice and other supplies to Donghai Fort north of the Daling River.
The waterway south of Lushun is the only way for the fleet to pass. However, recently, unfortunately, we encountered a very clever navy.
Before rushing to Lushun to aid Lushun, the Jinzhou garrison commander Mele Zhangjing Sangguli had already sent emergency documents to the left-wing naval anchorage.
But the main force of the left wing navy had already gone to Ocean Island, where it was waiting to rendezvous with the Kimchi fleet, but no news was received at all.
By the time they sailed into the sea off Lushun, the fighting in Lushun City and surrounding areas had ended, and there was no sound of gunfire at all.
By the time they encounter the Zheng fleet at Port Arthur, it will be too late to turn around and flee...
Although Melezhangjing Mafuta believed that the Qing army was invincible, he also meant land warfare.
In a naval battle with Man Ming's huge fleet, he felt really unsure unless the opponent was blown away by a storm.
"Commander, the general thinks that we should retreat to the north first, and wait until nightfall before we can escape the pursuit of the Mingming warships!"
Jia La Zhang Jing Cao Shaozhong didn't want to confront the opponent head-on. The result was that the entire army was annihilated, that's all.
He knew very well how much wealth the Great Qing Navy had. In just one battle, they would all be fed by the opponent.
It is said that there are hundreds of warships, but in fact only a hundred can be obtained, and the rest are extremely shabby small broken ships.
Cao Shaozhong also wanted to wait until he finished this errand and have fun with two beautiful girls after landing ashore.
If he rushes towards the enemy, he will have no choice but to find happiness with the Dragon King...
"The General's words are justified. Our army still doesn't know the strength of the Manming Navy, and there are merchant ships that need to be escorted. It's best not to overwhelm the enemy!"
Bai Dengyong very much approved of Cao Shaozhong's proposal. If you can't fight, don't fight. If you can't fight at sea, then go ashore as soon as possible.
As for the rice on the merchant ship, it was unlucky now, so I might as well give it to Gou Manzi.
If there really is a big fight, not only rice will have to be sent, but warships will also have to be sent...
"Forget it, give me the order to turn around and retreat north!"
Based on past experience, Ma Futa did not think that Man Ming would send a large number of warships northward. If they could not counterattack Port Arthur, there would be no purpose.
Without intelligence provided by internal agents, they had no idea of the merchant ship's departure time, so it would be unreasonable to deliberately intercept it.
But the situation in front of me seemed impossible to explain.
If the two guys around him had second thoughts, they wouldn't immediately suggest that they turn around.
Mafuta didn't know the reason for this encounter, but in order to ensure the safety of the navy and the rice on the ship, he agreed to his subordinate's suggestion.
This time the left wing navy dispatched thirty warships, and Kimchi also mobilized twelve warships. There were also twenty merchant ships in the fleet filled with rice, ginseng, furs, satin, gems, gold and silver and other supplies. .
There are fifty-two ships in total, which look very majestic and majestic on the sea.
But the fleet coming from the opposite side is more majestic, and they are all warships!
"...How could this be so???"
Kimchi General Lin Qingye was ordered by King Li Zhu to transport 5,000 bags of rice and tribute to Liaodong, accompanied by 800 officers and soldiers.
Normally, it would be enough, but what Lin Qingye observed through the telescope made him realize that his own warships were not enough, as were his officers and men.
Since Huang Taiji dispatched 100,000 troops to invade the country three years ago, the huge Kimchi Kingdom has become a vassal of the Qing Dynasty, and the relationship between "brothers" has been reduced to "the relationship between monarch and minister".
Not only did Li Jie have to provide protons and be stationed in Shenyang, but the Kimchi Kingdom also had to provide valuable annual tribute to the Qing Dynasty every year to avoid being purged a second time by the "Qing Dynasty King Master".
It’s not like the Kimchi Country didn’t resist. The only result was to kill the 66-year-old Qing army veteran Yang Guli with a cannon, and then the whole country was wiped out by the Qing army...
Now, from King Li Zhu to the generals below, they all realize the terrifying nature of the "King of the Qing Dynasty" and no longer dare to be enemies with them, and have honestly become vassals of the Qing Dynasty.
According to Huang Taiji's notice, or order, Kimchi Country must provide 5,000 bags of rice before autumn, and some of the regular annual tribute must be presented, and the rest can be presented before the year.
Hearing that the emperor of the Ming Dynasty was unconscious and the prince began to monitor the country, Lin Qingye couldn't help but think that Huang Taiji's order was to save food and use troops against the Ming Dynasty in autumn.
However, the country has exhausted its national strength and cannot do anything about it, so it can only choose to settle down.
It would be best if the Ming Dynasty can resist, but if it cannot be defeated, there is nothing that can be done.
At the same time, Zheng Zhibao, who put down his telescope, was filled with joy.
He saw a lot of merchant ships, and thought to himself: It would be easier to make money by returning to the old business!
Except for the rice, all the valuable items in the cabin belong to him. The prince is really wise.
If all the merchant ships were carrying rice and nothing else, Zheng Zhibao wouldn't mind letting them all feed the fish...
After finally going to sea, we can't let the brothers go back empty-handed, right? ? ?
Time waits for no one, let’s do something big this time!
Speaking of which, we are still carrying out the robbery under orders~!
To deal with the dog Tatars and loot them, the sailors of Zheng's fleet immediately became excited.
Serving the imperial court is a matter for gentlemen. If you can do it perfunctorily, do it.
But if they have the opportunity to enrich their pockets, they will do their best.
"I'm keeping an eye on the merchant ships, don't let the valuable ones escape!"
"It's an order~!"
Zheng Zhibao's target was the opponent's merchant ship. He did not believe that the Qing warship would abandon the merchant ship and run away on its own.
If that were the case, it would be great. Without spending a single shot, goods worth tens of thousands of taels of silver could be obtained.
Zheng Zhibao had never fought against the Qing navy. He didn't know whether the opponent would adopt the same wrist-breaking tactics as the pirates at a critical moment.
But judging from the speed of both sides, it is only a matter of time before our side catches up with the other side.
Although the two sides were no less than twenty miles apart, it took a lot of time for the Qing fleet to turn.
If everything goes well, our fleet will be able to go on a killing spree as early as tomorrow morning...
During this period, if the dog Tatars dare to sink the merchant ship, then they will have a good look!
On this trip, Zheng Zhibao took care of both public and private matters.
Since you can get both credit and benefits, why not do both?
There is no benefit in raising an army and mobilizing a large number of people on your own. Not to mention yourself, the lazy men under you, how can you still have the motivation to fight?
It can be said that Zheng Jun is just a group of pirates in military uniforms on the sea, but with the permission of the court, robbery is a righteous act and can be rewarded by the court!
Zheng Zhibao didn't know what kind of supplies were in the other party's ship, but in any case, he wanted to rob them first.
If you are in a good mood, you will send them to Shandong to mine, otherwise you will just feed the fish!
The speed of Zheng's warships was generally faster than that of the Qing navy's warships, and was far faster than Kimchi's merchant ships.
By the early morning of the next day, the fleet had arrived in the waters south of Guanglu Island.
But as long as the pursuers behind him can't be shaken off, it's useless to go anywhere unless they go ashore.
Melezhangjing Mafuta saw the opponent getting closer and closer, and he was suddenly frightened.
The huge Zheng flag fluttered in the wind, and Ma Futa thought it was Zheng Zhilong who was coming.
Of course he didn't think he could defeat the infamous Fujian pirate.
Talk about peace?
It doesn't seem to work.
The other party chased them all night long, unless they gave up all the merchant ships.
However, Mafuta was at the end of his rope. At dusk last night, he ordered the fleet to disperse and run away.
As a result, they scattered and ran, and the other party dispersed and chased.
The tragedy is that a group cannot defeat a group, and a ship cannot defeat a ship...
The ones rushing to the front on the opposite side are all fast ships, and needless to say the firearms they carry.
Once caught by the angry Zheng Zhilong, the warship will be blown to pieces and he will be blown to pieces.
Ma Futa is not a coward, but what's the use of relying on the bravery of an ordinary man in a naval battle?
No matter how powerful the Eight Banners soldiers are in land battles, are they not just a thing to be slaughtered at sea?
On the endless sea, a thousand elite Eight Banners soldiers may not be able to defeat two hundred Zheng Zhilong's sailors.
Thinking of this, Ma Futa couldn't help but regret.
If I had known this, I might as well have left the merchant ship to Zheng Zhilong.
If we do that, we can at least save the navy's warships.
Looking at the current situation, it is estimated that both warships and merchant ships cannot be saved...
