A little uneasiness in the hearts of the two commanders of the British Eastern Intervention Fleet, which seems to be the most powerful fleet in the world at present, has been completely replaced by the confidence brought by the powerful rocket battleship.
yes.
With these dozens of huge battleships and a large number of extremely long-range Congreve rockets equipped - the range limit of this rocket can reach ten kilometers, but the distance of ten kilometers on the sea is a bit too far. It's beyond the limit of vision.
Therefore, launching five kilometers away is generally considered an ideal combat distance.
Never in history has a warship's artillery been able to pose a threat at a distance of five kilometers.
Moreover, rockets rely on range attacks, using a large number of rockets to carry out covering bombardment.
The accuracy requirements are not too high.
"Yes, what we need to consider now is on what conditions we should accept the Ming Empire's peace proposal!" Nelson smiled, "Perhaps it is most appropriate to cede the Malacca Strait Governor's Palace and open the Guangzhou, Ningbo, and Songjiang ports. Moreover, the Ming Empire must respect Britain’s monopoly of free trade rights!”
"The Chinese must realize that on the sea, they are far from being a celestial country. Their Emperor must lower his arrogant head, accept and respect the rules and order we have established. Respect our work in the South Asian subcontinent , dominion in the Indian Ocean, in Southeast Asia, in Australia and the surrounding seas!”
Nelson said that as the commander of the Eastern Intervention Fleet appointed by the King of Britain, Nelson's authority was not limited to commanding fleet operations.
The purpose of the fleet was to serve Britain's national interests.
Victory in the war must bring sufficient benefits.
From the perspective of Britain's King George III and Prime Minister William Pitt Jr.
Only by obtaining the above benefits.
It would be worthwhile to form an Eastern Intervention Fleet.
"We may also ask the Ming Empire to suspend its attack on the Qing Empire. Maintain the long-term war between the Ming Empire and the Qing Empire, so that Britain can gain sufficient benefits from the war between the two sides!"
Right now.
The bell rang.
On the lookout post, the voice of the lookout soldier rang quickly: "An unknown fleet was spotted ahead at six o'clock! There are more than ten ships! The distance is 60,000 yards!"
"They've also spotted our fleet and are retreating!"
Nelson and Collingwood looked at each other.
The two of them had discussed before that the Ming Dynasty should cede territory and pay indemnities to open up the market.
It is all based on defeating Ming's fleet.
So now the sudden reminder of the siren and the shouts of the lookout brought the two of them back to reality from their previous imagination.
The first condition to defeat Ming's fleet.
A decisive battle of the main fleet is about to take place!
Otherwise, the Ming Dynasty's Indian Ocean Fleet would float all over the Indian Ocean, which would pose a great threat to the British Indian colonies.
"Send an order to seize this Ming army's reconnaissance fleet and find out the specific location of their main fleet as soon as possible!"
In fact, there is no need for British Navy ships to find the main force of the Ming Dynasty's Indian Ocean Fleet.
Because the Ming army was also planning a decisive battle.
the following few days.
The number of exchanges of fire between the reconnaissance ships of both sides became more and more frequent.
This shows that the distance between the main fleets of both sides is getting closer and closer!
"I have to say that the Chinese have the possibility of having a powerful navy! Their sailors are quite brave, but their ability to operate warships on the ocean is not as good as ours after all!"
Aboard the battleship Victory.
Nelson also showed an optimistic look on his face after summarizing the exchanges of fire between the two sides' reconnaissance ships in the past few days.
on the exchange ratio.
The British navy clearly had the upper hand.
A total of eight Ming army light bombardment gunboats have been sunk in the past few days!
The Eastern Intervention Fleet only lost three light arrow-type bombardment gunboats.
Although the artillery performance of the Ming army is better than that of the British army, with their understanding of the Indian Ocean and superb naval combat experience, British naval ships can often occupy favorable combat positions and concentrate more powerful firepower.
Although most of the sailors of the Ming army on the opposite side were recruited from pirates and fishermen active on the southeastern coast of China.
They have no fear of the sea.
But he is obviously inexperienced in modern naval battle modes.
Although these small-scale battles only existed between the reconnaissance gunboats of both sides.
But the gap in the naval combat capabilities of the two sides has already been reflected.
This gave Nelson greater confidence.
Even without the secret weapon, he did not think that the Ming Dynasty Indian Ocean Fleet on the opposite side could defeat the Eastern Intervention Fleet.
Opposite is a group of rookies equipped with advanced gunboats!
And in quantity.
They don't have an absolute advantage, even in terms of firepower density.
The Ming Army's Indian Ocean Fleet is even at a disadvantage.
anyway.
Nelson could not even imagine the possibility of losing.
"Military Gate! The British fleet has been discovered! About three hundred miles southeast, our reconnaissance ship had an intensive exchange of fire with the opponent, causing heavy losses!"
On the side of the Ming Dynasty Indian Ocean Fleet.
Zhu Xin, commander of the Ming Dynasty's Indian Ocean Fleet, relaxed his frown instantly after hearing the information!
"Finally found!"
Zhu Xun said excitedly.
The situation he was most worried about did not happen: that is, the British did not seek a decisive battle, but instead dealt with the Ming Dynasty Navy Fleet in the Indian Ocean. In this case, the Ming Dynasty Indian Ocean Fleet would have a lot of work in the future, because warships such as ironclads are suitable for decisive battles, but they are not suitable for decisive battles. It is suitable for cruising on the ocean, so if the war situation between the two sides is not a decisive battle between the main fleets of the navy, but an ocean chase in which you chase each other, then the Ming Dynasty's fleet will not have much advantage!
If the British fleet cannot be destroyed in one battle, then the route from Malacca to India will be under threat from the British at all times.
For Ming Dynasty.
The purpose of this battle is to completely open the market of the South Asian subcontinent.
Ensure the security of the Indian Ocean route, ensure that the coalition of Indian princes can get the support of the Ming Dynasty, maintain the war against the British in the South Asian subcontinent, and finally monopolize the Indian market - you must know that there are nearly 200 million people in this continent, and Because of long-term trade advantages, a large amount of wealth has been accumulated.
India now.
That was not the poor place that people would remember in later generations, where the per capita GDP was lower than that of the African continent.
But a truly wealthy place!
Otherwise, why would Western imperialism travel thousands of miles to bully the Indian people?
In this wave of carving up the wealth of the ancient South Asian subcontinent.
Not only can Ming Dynasty not be absent.
I have to occupy this entire mat!
no way.
Who made Ming's appetite too big?
As for the loss of the reconnaissance gunboat.
In Zhu Xun's opinion, it is normal.
Although these sail gunboats are generally equipped with bombardment guns.
But the combat concepts and modes are almost the same as before.
With both sides equipped with bombardment cannons.
It is normal for the British, who have more experience in fighting in the ocean, to have the upper hand.
Not surprising at all.
The key is that the opponent doesn't know the Ming army's trump card at all!
If they knew it, it would be impossible for the other party to make plans for a decisive battle!
"Send the order, the Divine Turtle will attack, drag the Divine Turtle southeastward as close as possible to the enemy fleet!"
Zhu Xi ordered loudly.
The combat radius of the Wei-class ironclad is as high as 1,500 miles.
As long as the twelve Gangwei-class ironclads bite the main force of the British fleet, relying on the speed of the ironclads, it will be impossible for the other side to escape!
"Junmen, if our army wants to sail to the southeast now, it will be almost completely against the wind, and the opponent is coming with the wind, and the wind is not good for our army!"
"It doesn't matter!" Zhu Xun waved his hand, "The main force in this battle is the twelve Wei-class iron-clad ships, and the rest of the ships are used to lure the enemy and escort!!"
"The fleet can be divided into two groups. All the light fast gunboat escort fleet, thirty-six three-masted schooners and twelve Wei-class ironclads will go out, and the thirty-six three-masted schooners will come forward to lure the enemy. The enemy has introduced the predetermined battlefield." Deputy Commander Li Changgeng said, "We are facing a headwind to the southeast, but if we turn the ship's bow to lure the enemy, it will be a tailwind, and they may not be able to catch up!"
"Yes, the Wei-class ironclads must save fuel as much as possible! It is best to let their main fleet come by themselves, and if they want to turn back and escape, it will become a headwind, and the speed advantage of the ironclads will become even greater !”
said Colonel Guo Xuexian, Chief of Staff.
Guo Xuexian was originally a pirate gang entrenched in the Pearl River Estuary. He was the son of Guo Yi, the leader of the Black Flag Gang. After surrendering to the Ming Dynasty, Guo had gone ashore and became a wealthy man. His son Guo Xuexian entered the Ming Dynasty Naval Academy for further study and was considered the first in the Naval Academy. batch of graduating students.
Now less than thirty years old, he is already the chief of staff of the Ming Dynasty's Indian Ocean Fleet.
It can be said that the future is promising.
"Keep the distance as much as possible. The British large battleships are equipped with sixty-four-pound fortress guns."
Li Changgeng said.
"In addition, the fleet should continue to go north and get away from the battlefield as much as possible, without giving the British any chance to take advantage!"
Several naval officers of the Ming Dynasty quickly finalized the battle plan.
In fact, the plan is very simple and highly executable.
Twelve ironclad ships ambush on the predetermined battlefield.
Thirty-six three-masted schooners rushed forward to execute the plan to lure the enemy.
According to British intelligence, the thirty-six three-masted schooners are the absolute main fleet of the Ming Dynasty's Indian Ocean Navy.
So the temptation is enough.
When the enemy fleet pursued them to the predetermined battlefield, the twelve Wei-class ironclad ships that were prepared pounced on them at absolute speed, carrying out close-range attacks!
With almost absolute defense.
It is not a problem for twelve Wei-class ironclad ships to completely annihilate Britain's Eastern Intervention Fleet!
With the speed of a sailing battleship, it is impossible to escape the hunt of a Wei-class ironclad!
A sure shot!
Definitely win!
(End of chapter)
