On the battlefield, powerful firepower is king.
Although attacked from all sides, the four warships of the East China Sea Fleet still demonstrated their power to sweep everything.
The Zheng family had the right time and location, but they were still beaten miserably.
The artillery on the islands on both sides were overturned one by one, resulting in heavy casualties and greatly reducing the effectiveness of the interception.
At 11 o'clock in the morning, the East China Sea Fleet passed through the strait between the Daliangmen Mountain and Xiaoliangmen Mountain and rushed into the Luotou Waterway.
This is the most important waterway in Zhoushan waters, with well-developed connections in all directions.
From here, turning around and heading north, you can break out of the Zhoushan waters; sailing south, passing through a row of large and small islands, you can also escape the siege of the Zheng family.
"Commander, there are a large number of Zheng's warships coming from behind."
Zuo Hua was on the flagship at the front and could not see the situation in the rear. Little did he know that Zheng Zhilong had already bypassed Daxie Mountain and completed the interception.
However, he was already prepared for Zheng's arrangement.
"Keep going south and take them in a circle."
"I'm afraid the Zheng family has also set up a dragnet in the south. It will be difficult for us to break out."
Shang Kexi is very cautious and does not think sailing south is a good way out.
Zuo Hua holds the pearl of wisdom.
"The Zheng family must have made complete preparations in the south, but the sea area in this area is wide and suitable for us to make a fuss about. Let Zheng Zhilong see what a real naval battle is like."
The four battleships continued to move south, and Zheng Zhilong received information continuously.
"Zuo Hua still wanted to fight for his life, but he didn't know that there was no way to save him. He told the ships to surround them and didn't give him a chance to make arrangements calmly."
Zheng's warship's pursuit speed increased a lot.
It's a pity that this kind of old-fashioned warship cannot be compared with the steamship on the wide sea.
Even if both sides were heading against the wind, the Galen ship could maintain a certain speed by adjusting its sails, while the old ship could only use manpower to row the oars, watching helplessly as the shadows of the four battleships became increasingly blurred.
Although it was noon, it was impossible to light a fire for cooking because it was during wartime. Xia Jun's soldiers simply ate some dry food and chocolate, which greatly replenished their physical strength.
Compared with them, the Zheng family's people were even worse.
If you can afford it, you can eat two bites of fried rice. If you don't, you can just go hungry and work hard.
The East China Sea Fleet bypassed the Changbangzui Peninsula, swept away Zheng's artillery on it, knocked out Zheng's eyes, and turned into the Fodu Waterway.
As long as you follow this waterway and pass through the strait between Meishan Island and Hengdao Island, you will be out of the Zhoushan sea area.
This waterway is very formal, and this is how most merchant ships usually use it.
It is impossible for Zheng to be defenseless.
"Commander, there are ships ahead, countless ships, and the channel is blocked."
Zuo Hua seemed to have expected it and immediately gave the order.
"The whole army turns to the left and goes to Iizhan Island."
Knowing that the East China Sea Fleet had turned again, Zheng Zhilong was also a little confused.
"The area around Fanzhan Island is densely covered with reefs and the water is very shallow. How dare Zuo Hua dare to sail a big ship into it? Isn't he looking for death?"
The area around Iizhan Island is dotted with dozens of large and small islands and reefs, so the waterways in between are intricate. Even Zheng's veterans don't dare to get involved easily.
Zuo Hua's actions made Zheng Zhilong think that he was taking a risk.
"Just tell the third master to block the east passage and don't let Zuo Hua rush out."
While Zheng Zhilong was chasing after them, Zheng Zhibao and Shi Daxuan were not idle either. They led the fleet southward and reached the Xiaomo Mountain area.
This is another channel out of Zhoushan waters.
If this place is blocked, the East China Sea Fleet will have no way out.
Zheng has deployed spies on various islands, so every move of the East China Sea Fleet is watched.
Zheng Zhilong was not afraid of what Zuo Hua might do.
However, he ignored one thing.
As the East China Sea Fleet sailed along, it kept projecting artillery shells on various islands.
Not only did they attack Zheng's artillery, they also focused on the beacon towers on each island.
Although the beacon towers on some islands are too far away to be hit by artillery. However, some small islands were completely within the coverage of Xia Army's artillery, and the beacon towers above were completely destroyed.
As a result, some flaws appeared in the dense surveillance network originally laid out by Zheng Zhilong.
Zuo Hua seized this opportunity.
"what time is it?"
"Report, it's 1:45pm and the tide is starting to rise."
Xia Jun once again showed what Zheng was not capable of.
That is to accurately grasp the seawater tides in the combat area.
Although the water around Iizhan Island is very shallow and full of rocks, it seems impassable for large ships. But when the tide comes in, many places turn into smooth waterways.
The four warships of the East China Sea Fleet lined up in a long snake, taking advantage of the rising tide to carefully travel between the chaotic islands, and actually came out unscathed.
"Turn around and head north, back the way we came."
Arriving at the west side of Xiaomo Mountain, Zuo Hua knew that his plan was successful.
In terms of the battlefield situation at this time, the fleet led by Zheng Zhilong was searching for Meishan Island in the west; the fleets led by Zheng Zhibao and Shi Daxuan were far away from each other on the east side of Xiaomo Mountain.
The north side, which was originally blocked, now had a huge vacancy. With the help of the south wind, the East China Sea Fleet was able to get rid of the Zheng family's siege.
Sure enough, Zheng Zhilong was surprised when he heard that the East China Sea Fleet did not go all the way south, but detoured out of the complicated waters and planned to break out north.
"Immediately send an order to the third master to follow me in pursuit. Zuo Hua wants to run away, but it's not that easy."
Suddenly, it became a situation of you chasing me and escaping on the sea.
But it's completely opposite to before.
Now the East China Sea Fleet is in the north, and Zheng's fleet is in the south.
After some maneuvers, Zheng's arrangement in the north was completely empty, and it seemed that it was possible for the East China Sea Fleet to escape the difficulties.
Is this really the case?
"How many of Zheng's warships appeared?"
The combat staff reported immediately.
"About one hundred and eighty ships."
Zuo Hua sneered.
"This is only half, the other half will definitely be waiting for us in the north."
Shang Kexi also knew that the battle situation was beginning to get better.
"When will our reinforcements arrive?"
Zuo Hua raised his left wrist and looked at his watch.
"They will arrive on time."
These words made everyone in the Xia army feel high in morale, and there was no sadness at all about being in trouble.
Returning to the Luotou Waterway, the fireship led by Zheng Hongkui rushed over from the east side, obviously wanting to prevent the East China Sea Fleet from escaping.
"rocket missile!"
The four battleships fired all the rockets.
Regardless of the hit rate, a raging fire burned on the sea between the two sides for a long time.
Zheng Hongkui wanted to use fire ships to attack the East China Sea Fleet, but at this time, facing the fire on the sea, he had nowhere to start.
He could only order the fire ship to turn around and row hard to the north, hoping to avoid the burning sea.
But the East China Sea Fleet has completely taken advantage of the wind and is moving very fast. These small fireboats rely on human power to paddle, and they are really no good in rough seas.
