The Ming Dynasty’s Prodigal Son - Chapter 1242

[1242. Chapter 1185 Giant Ship Attacks]

Dengzhou…

What a shame and humiliation.

Emperor Hongzhi hated these Francois to his core.

They attacked Xinjin first, and then Dengzhou.

Not only in the Golden Continent, but also in the capital city of the Emperor, showing off one’s might and arrogance.

Is this a warning to me?

They are so brave.

The Ming Dynasty prides itself on being a kingdom of heaven. Even when they open their eyes and see the new world, they are still proud.

Among all the countries in the world, in terms of subjects and territory, who can rival the Ming Dynasty?

Although there are many ills in the country, they are not a group of barbarians and can be compared.

Now… Duke Lu Guo died heroically in battle. Dengzhou is not far from the capital, especially from Tianjin Guard. It can be said that it is very close. Today, they dare to attack Dengzhou. Tomorrow, they will attack Tianjin Guard. .

These two places are both portals of the Ming Dynasty. Once they are attacked, the world will be shaken.

Fang Jifan was standing aside and couldn’t help but said: “I understand everything.”

“What do you understand?” Emperor Hongzhi looked at Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan said: “The attack on Xinjin and the attack on Dengzhou are one operation. The attack on Huanghuangzhou is to curb the expansion of our Ming Dynasty in Huangjinzhou, and the attack on Dengzhou is to make our Ming Dynasty tremble. They sent Several fast ships came from afar. Their original intention was not to have an audience with His Majesty at all, but to take this opportunity to dock in Quanzhou, Ming Dynasty. Then, during the request for an audience, I think they must have sent Xu Duxizuo to spy on me. Hydrological data of the Ming Dynasty, and at the same time, they probed into the interior of our Ming Dynasty. They had to choose a target, determine the route, and understand the truth and reality. Finally, they tried to kill the enemy with one blow, shocking the civil and military forces of the Ming Dynasty, and letting us know. They are so powerful. “

Coming from afar and attacking directly is not possible.

After all, the Spaniards still didn’t know the hydrology of the Ming Dynasty sea area, and where was the most suitable place to attack. This all took time and needed to be mastered slowly.

They knew that the Ming Dynasty would definitely not directly drive away the envoys coming from afar, even if the two sides were not in harmony. They were not worried that the Ming Dynasty would do anything to their fleet because of their disgust with the Spaniards. Counter.

As long as they insist that they are here to meet the Ming Emperor, the Ming government at all levels will never adopt a hostile attitude.

This gave them enough time to prepare for a sneak attack, and the ships they dispatched must be their latest ships. They thought they were sharp enough to escape unscathed after the attack.

The Spaniards were alerted to Ming’s voyages to the West, and they began to do whatever it took to make Ming completely submissive with this series of actions.

At this time, the Kingdom of Spain was at its peak. How could it take the Ming Dynasty seriously? In their eyes, the Ming Dynasty was nothing more than the Ottoman Empire in the Far East.

The officials all whispered to each other and were obviously angry.

Although this is not as shameful as Tumu Fort, it is still remarkable that such a majestic attack was carried out in a hurry.

Ma Wensheng immediately said: “I suggest that we immediately order the Japanese guards along the coast to intercept these thieves…”

“It’s too late.” Fang Jifan said: “Originally, their ships are fast, and the Ningbo navy can’t catch up. The other Japanese guards may be Are they their opponents?”

Ma Wensheng was silent.

Fang Jifan said, “But, we still have a chance…”

“Still have a chance?” Everyone looked at Fang Jifan.

Fang Jifan was particularly cold today.

He said seriously: “They have just attacked Dengzhou, and they must follow the route and cross the Western Ocean. The Spanish must have informed the Portuguese about this action, and the Portuguese’s nearest stronghold in the Western Ocean is…”

Fang Jifan’s eyes One: “It is in the sea area around Luzon. In other words, they need to take the route from Dengzhou to Quanzhou first, cross Penghu, and then continue to the Western Ocean.”

“It will be easy to handle once you know this route. “Fang Jifan said sternly: “Hai chart.”

When I heard the sea chart, no one made any movement.

Fang Jifan glared at Xiao Jing: “Eunuch Xiao, what are you doing standing still?”

Xiao Jing glanced at Emperor Hongzhi aggrievedly.

Emperor Hongzhi said with a gloomy face: “Go.”

Xiao Jing suddenly went away like a dog with a broken spine.

The chart was taken and laid directly on the deck: “The Spaniards don’t know much about our Ming Dynasty’s waters. Their route must have been spied on from our Ming Dynasty. Therefore, as long as we follow the chart We will pursue them all the way from Tianjinwei to Quanzhou. If our ship is fast enough, we will surely catch up with them halfway!”

Zhu Houzhao nodded repeatedly.

The sea is not something you can walk aimlessly. It has ocean currents, deep water areas and shallow water areas, and reefs.

Therefore, any route must be pioneered. This is what Xu Jing did back then.

After a route is opened up, latecomers often just follow this route.

For example, when traveling from Dengzhou to Penghu, because it is sailing close to land, the most important thing to be careful about is the reef. Once the ship collides with the reef on the seabed, there is a risk of stranding or sinking.

Therefore, the route is the safe zone.

Since the Spaniards were going to Luzon, the shortest route could only be sailing along the land and offshore. After all, they had no supplies along the way, so they could only cross the Daming Sea as quickly as possible.

They will never take risks and open up new routes. After all, they may encounter the Ming fleet at any time, so of course they will take the safest route.

Therefore, this route opened up by the Ming Dynasty became their only choice.

This is equivalent to an official road on land. There is a ready-made official road. Who has to go over the mountains and ridges when they are full?

Fang Jifan said: “Your Majesty, if we let them go, our great power will be gone. Steamships are fast. Maybe we can catch up with them and teach them how to come back.”

Emperor Hongzhi was stunned: “Steamships, really Can we catch up? “

This is obviously unbelievable. Even if the Spaniards are still in Dengzhou, they are still some distance away from Tianjin Wei. What’s more, they are Clippers.

“How do you know if you don’t give it a try? Do you just watch them leave?”

“I beg your Majesty to allow the scum of the world Wang Bushi to pursue the pirate ship!” Fang Jifan bowed his hand to Emperor Hongzhi.

Emperor Hongzhi took a deep breath.

At this moment, Emperor Hongzhi’s anger was still boiling.

Although he felt that this was a bit of a fantasy, but…if the Ming Dynasty did nothing, then…

Emperor Hongzhi said seriously: “Pursue.”

Zhu Houzhao had long been waiting for his father’s decree.

At this time, the boiler has not been completely turned off, which is great. Now, we are racing against time. If we delay for a while, we will delay the battle.

Zhu Houzhao immediately shouted: “Send the order, don’t drop anchor, sail at full speed to the direction of Penghu!”

Suddenly, the entire steamship seemed to come to life, and the thick smoke in the chimney began to roll out again, and the ship moved slowly, and then Start accelerating.

The officials were standing a little unsteadily on the deck. They were whispering to each other. They felt insignificant in this huge ship and under the billowing steam in the sky.

The impeller began to rotate at the bottom of the water, waves were cut out of the sea surface, and the rolling sea water was glowing silvery white.

Can you catch up?

Many people have a question in their minds.

But the big ship had already left the harbor. After confirming that the wind direction was favorable, pieces of canvas slowly rose from the mast.

At this time… it is the time to test the helmsman the most. The helmsman and the sailor must cooperate closely. Once the sail is set, the steering system of the helm must be shut down immediately, leaving only the advancement of the impeller and the filled sail.

The ship was getting faster and faster, and the people on the deck began to lose their balance. The sea breeze was blowing hard.

At this time, someone raised his head in confusion, looked back at the land that was gradually disappearing from his eyes, and suddenly said: “We… we haven’t disembarked yet, we haven’t disembarked yet.”

That’s right.

All the officials exploded.

As the saying goes, everything depends on human effort. Although they have no hope of pursuing the French aircraft carrier, His Majesty also decreed that a dead horse should be treated as a living horse.

But…

I’m still on the boat.

His Majesty is also on the boat, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince…

Oh, it’s so scary, it looks so dangerous.

Emperor Hongzhi seemed calm and composed.

He remained silent, but when he heard the crowd of ministers roaring, Xiao Jing on the side couldn’t help but said: “Your Majesty…”

“Don’t talk too much.” Emperor Hongzhi said lightly: “At this moment, if I led all the officials to disembark, what would it look like? , I am the emperor, and I have the protection of God. I think… I will be fine. “

Xiao Jing said in his heart, Your Majesty… this slave… this slave is just a eunuch, and there is no protection from God.

He felt his legs were a little weak.

Emperor Hongzhi had a gloomy face.

Maybe… it’s because of emotion.

or.

He saw the powerful Zhu Houzhao on the deck. Zhu Houzhao went back and forth like crazy to inspect various cabins, and together with Fang Jifan, issued orders one after another.

These two young men were like tireless machines, full of vitality.

And countless sailors and boatmen seemed to be inspired by them.

The people walking on the deck all walked like the wind, as if… this steamship was alive.

Maybe he was infected by these.

Emperor Hongzhi didn’t mention getting off the ship at all. Did he get off the ship and wait for news on land?

Yes, as the Emperor of Heaven, maybe… it should be like this.

But… Emperor Hongzhi suddenly felt that… it was no big deal to have some passion once in a while.

Just treat it as… a real dragon patrolling the sea!

I am a dragon!

In the distance, there was a sudden uproar.

“Oh my, I’m very dizzy, I’m very dizzy. I want to get off the boat, I need to get off the boat…”

“I have to ask your majesty, I have to ask your majesty to get off the ship. It’s terrible, it’s terrible. If there is any risk, what will happen to the country and the common people?” And what?”

“Fang Jifan… Duke Qi, are you crazy… are you crazy? Why don’t you let your majesty get off the boat with us?”

“Go away, don’t mess with me!”

(End of chapter)