Jiaozhi, Aizhou Port.
A steam engine ship slowly approached the military port pier.
Bei Fan, Pang Donghai, Dong Dalu, Xiong Yulin and Cheng Ren walked out of the cabin. Looking at the majestic military port, the astonishingly high lighthouse, and the large and small fortune ships and treasure ships moored in the port, they couldn't help but feel proud.
Pang Donghai smashed the folding fan in his hand, closed it, and said with great enthusiasm: "Guo Yao, Jiang Chen, Qiang Min and others stole the southwest errand, Zhao Lin, Song Zhang and others went to Western Xinjiang, Ping Ping, Ji Hong, Dai Bang and others went to Datong again, and a group of people went to Peiping to catch up with King Yan's army. These people all thought that the navy was strong and Nanyang had been at peace for a long time, so there would be no disturbance and no one would want to come. But here we are. The credit belongs to us!"
Dong Dalu patted the side of the ship and said solemnly: "Studying and judging the four directions has become a world-wide attack. If there are no storms on the sea, how can it be called a world-wide attack? In my opinion, Nanyang may not be peaceful."
"Whether Nanyang is peaceful or not is not important to us. What is important is the extent to which the emperor wants Nanyang to be peaceful. Didn't you read the emperor's will? In the document, the emperor specifically mentioned Manlajia When talking to Sumatra, he didn’t mention a single word about Sulu, Luzon, Champa, Majapahit and other countries.”
Xiong Yulin chewed raisins. These were brought by his friends from Western Xinjiang when he returned to Beijing to report matters. They indeed tasted better than the raisins sold in other places.
Bei Fan understood: "The Ming Dynasty's strategy in Nanyang is very clear, which is to control strategic areas and stabilize Nanyang. It does not seek dominance, but seeks key positions. Ming Dynasty has the final say. Now it is still
Many officials underestimated the interests of the ocean, but high-ranking officials in the court and people with real power all realized the importance of the ocean to the Ming Dynasty. The emperor even did not hesitate to send Prince Ning to Africa in order to control the mines and strategic locations in Africa, but he did not know what was happening there now. "
Cheng Ren looked back at the vast sea and sighed: "The importance of the ocean to the Ming Dynasty does not lie in the ocean, but in the products and resources overseas. It is said that the steam engine ship under our feet has some steel at the bottom that is only added to Africa. Some minerals, and South America where Zheng He and others once visited, they also discovered many mines, where amazing yields of food seeds can appear, and more people can naturally live there in the future."
Pang Donghai smiled and nodded: "Yes, resources are the most critical. Controlling the ocean means controlling distant resources. Without the ocean, how far can our steam engine ships travel? We can't stay here all day. East China Sea, right? I heard that there are many countries in the north of Africa, and Venice is one of them. When King Ning takes control of Africa, we will also go to Venice."
"Arrived."
Chengren shouted.
Qianhu Yaoli of the Southern Navy led his sergeants to greet him.
After Pang Donghai, Dong Dalu and others saluted, they followed Yao Li to the southern naval station.
When Du Yu, the commander-in-chief of the Southern Navy, saw Pang Donghai and others arriving, he stepped forward with a smile: "The outstanding young man from the Imperial College has finally arrived. Come and serve tea."
Pang Donghai and others bowed respectfully, made introductions, exchanged a few words, and took their seats.
Dong Dalu said directly: "General Du, don't blame us for being abrupt, we want to understand Nanyang intelligence
, the more detailed the better. "
Du Yu nodded slightly and looked at the deputy commander of the army, Wu Sansheng, and said, "Tell them about it."
Wu Sansheng stood up, walked aside, lifted the cloth on the screen, pushed the screen over, put down the map of Nanyang, and said to Pang Donghai, Dong Dalu and others: "The Southern Navy has received the documents and the emperor's decree from the Navy Commander's Office. , will open all information to you. If you want to participate in military operations, including transporting food northward, according to the rules, you can only act as deputy first. No ship will listen to your orders until you show command ability and wisdom. "
Pang Donghai stood up and said: "We are just supervisors. Although we have learned navigation knowledge in the Imperial Academy, we lack practical combat and dare not interfere in command matters rashly."
Wu Sansheng was very satisfied with the people in the Imperial College. Although they came from the very promising Imperial College, everyone behaved in a humble and polite manner, and were not arrogant or superior. They wanted to be leaders when they came up.
Knowing that I lack experience and cannot aim too high, I move forward step by step. This is the foundation for becoming a great talent.
"After receiving the early warning from the imperial court, the Southern Navy has strengthened its dynamic monitoring and investigation of the Southeast Asian countries. At present, there is no abnormal movement in Champa, Luzon, Sulu and other countries, and there is no sign of mobilization of domestic military garrison. They only have Most of the naval fleet is still engaged in business and has not been converted to military use. But..."
Wu Sansheng pulled out the bamboo stick on the side and pointed at the location of the Sumatra Kingdom on the map. Then he moved north towards Manlajia and said seriously: "There are some abnormal behaviors in these two places. The army is gathering. Young people are gathering." Zhuang was continuously incorporated into the army and began to move closer to
area of the old port. "
Bei Fan stared at it: "Sure enough, Nanyang is not peaceful either."
Pang Donghai looked at the map. The so-called Sumatra Kingdom was just a country to the west of the old port. In the early days of the voyage, the Ming Dynasty did not know much about the Southeast Asian countries. Many small countries were not recorded in the records. In addition, the internal affairs of the Southeast Asian countries There were fights from time to time, and there were no clear boundaries. The Ming Dynasty simply thought of a country as a region.
However, with the progress of Nanyang trade over the years, it was discovered that there are some small countries next to Sumatra, such as Nanhouli, Mulu, etc. Of course, the territory of these countries is very limited, far from being comparable to Sumatra. But these small countries have suffered from the Sumatra State, but not from the Ming Dynasty, so they generally obey the Suman Tara State.
Now Su Menta La is starting to be dishonest, and he just doesn't know if these small countries are following suit.
Xiong Yulin and Pang Donghai thought of going together and asked, "Is Nan Wuli also involved?"
The location of Nanweili is very special. It is located at the westernmost point of the entire island where the old port is located. It is an excellent sentry place. If the Ming Dynasty wants to truly control this most important seaway in the South Ocean, it must control the westernmost point.
At this time, Du Yu said softly: "We have the final say whether Nanshan Li Shen will participate."
Pang Donghai, Dong Dalu and others gave thumbs up.
As expected of a commander-in-chief, this level has reached the pinnacle. It can be seen that Du Yu has been eager to eat the entire island for a long time, and he is very excited about the Sumatra Kingdom's imminent move.
As for a small country like Nanweili, it really doesn't matter whether they participate or not. What matters is that the big country
Ming thought that he had participated and at least sent sergeants to support Su Mentala, which was enough.
Xiong Yulin pointed at Manlajia: "They have always been in awe of the Ming Dynasty. The Ming Dynasty also helped Manlajia. Why did they become the enemy of the Ming Dynasty at this moment? I don't understand their choice."
Bei Fan smiled faintly: "Don't allow others to snore next to the bed. They should know this truth. Almost all of Boni Island was in the hands of the Ming Dynasty, which must have shocked the countries in Southeast Asia. With Jiaozhi as the hinterland and Boni Island as the base, The Ming Dynasty Navy, with Jiugang as the front line, can deal with these small Southeast Asian countries in just a matter of seconds."
"The fear arises from the constant worry that the Ming Dynasty will destroy them. When this fear grows to the extreme, the result they desire is naturally to destroy the Ming Dynasty's military presence in Nanyang and drive the Ming Dynasty away from Nanyang. Only in this way can they possibly Have a peaceful sleep.”
Pang Donghai frowned: "But they should know that using their strength to fight against the Ming Dynasty is tantamount to hitting an egg against a stone."
Bei Fan said calmly: "Yes, they are hitting an egg against a stone. But the problem is, they think they are a stone, not an egg..."
Chengren's face turned a little dark, aren't you swearing?
However, people’s arrogance is indeed a factor that cannot be ignored. It’s not impossible for a fly to shake a tree. There are many people who are self-righteous. For example, the last Pirate King Chen Zuyi. When he got hot, he dared to rob a big fortune ship with a small wooden boat and equipment. A lucky ship equipped with firearms...
It's just that Chen Zuyi still knows the wolf tactics after all, and knows how to take advantage of water channels, but Manlajia has a gross advantage. Their navy is also called a navy.
, the only four large ships were sold to them by the Ming Dynasty. How dare they challenge the Ming Dynasty's presence in Nanyang?
Wu Sansheng knocked on the table and said seriously: "Why did they move and what made them act so boldly? This is not something we need to consider. The Southern Navy believes that since the enemy has appeared, the remaining The mission is to destroy the enemy.”
Pang Donghai nodded heavily: "Since they want to take action, they don't need any diplomatic rhetoric. The Ming Dynasty has been longing for this place for a long time, and there has never been a suitable opportunity to take action. Since they took the initiative to cause trouble, the Ming Dynasty does not need to hold back. Du Commander-in-Chief, we are willing to go to Old Port, whether it is a land battle or a water battle, it all depends on the arrangement!"
Du Yu stood up and said seriously: "The Ming Dynasty did not have many troops stationed in Old Port. There was only one guard. Including Shi Jinqing's army, the total was only thirteen thousand. Over the years, Old Port has always been responsible for the trade stronghold. In addition to building We have not expanded our armaments beyond five cities, so entering there means a huge risk."
Pang Donghai grinned, revealing some yellowed teeth: "If we don't take risks, wouldn't it be meaningless to come to Nanyang?"
Xiong Yulin and others echoed this.
Yes, the Ming Dynasty did not have many troops in Old Port, but the problem is that the army in Old Port is not as small as it seems. There is a port in Old Port, a navy in the port, and the navy includes the Nanyang Navy and the Southern Navy...
Ships can transport troops at any time. The Ming Dynasty's ability to deliver troops is said to be second in this era, but no one dares to say that it is first.
"Then go to Old Port. Untrained talents will be embarrassed."
use. "
Du Yu gave the order, and then looked at Wu Sansheng: "Take the navy to the old port. Remember, enter the port secretly. Don't alert others, and don't stop the ships at the old port dock for a long time. Don't let them know that we already know what they are about to do. Things..."
